Abstract: An apparatus or actuator system having a motor, a housing and a thrust rod or thrust tube, where the actuator is configured to convert rotational motion of the motor into axial motion of the thrust tube for axial motion of a tool coupling therewith. A guide assembly is coupled to the actuator housing, extending along an axis thereof. The guide assembly comprises a guide shaft and a coupling between the guide shaft and the thrust tube, and is configured to provide positional stability for the tool coupling when positioned along the actuator axis by motion of the thrust tube.

Abstract: An integrated motor linear actuator system includes one or more stator stages inside a housing. The stator stages have a winding and a stator core disposed about a common longitudinal axis, with a plurality of stator teeth configured to guide magnetic flux generated by the winding. A rotor is disposed along the longitudinal axis, within the stator stages, with a plurality of magnetic poles distributed circumferentially about the outer surface, adjacent the stator teeth, so that the stator stages are configured to drive the rotor into rotational motion about the longitudinal axis via the magnetic flux. A thrust tube and screw assembly are operationally coupled to the rotor, and configured to convert the rotational motion into linear motion of the thrust tube.

Abstract: An integrated power clamp motor system includes a housing with one or more stator stages coupled to the inner surface. Each of the stator stages has a winding and a stator core with a plurality of stator teeth circumferentially distributed about a longitudinal axis, at an inner diameter of the stator core. A rotor is disposed about the longitudinal axis, inside the stator core, with a plurality of magnetic poles circumferentially distributed along an outer surface, adjacent the stator teeth. A power clamp assembly is coupled to the rotor via one or more of a screw assembly, a thrust rod, and a transmission, and operational between first and second positions responsive to rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A system (10, 14) includes one or more sensors configured for acquiring data related to operational conditions of a motor actuator (12), a processor (62) configured for analyzing the data to determine a status of the motor actuator (12), and memory (64) for storing data representative of the operational conditions. A status indicator is generated based on the analysis of the operational conditions, for example to represent system capabilities, normal operating modes, and failure modes of the motor actuator (12). The system (10, 14) can be configured to communicate the status indicator to a user interface (21, 66) or higher-level controller (20, 22).

Abstract: An actuator (10) system includes an output rod (20) coupled to a piston member (30) disposed within an actuator housing (14) or cylinder (14). A belt drive (24) is configured to drive the piston (30) or similar coupling member (30) in reciprocal motion within the housing (14), along its longitudinal axis. The opposite end (22) of the output rod (20) is selectively positioned with respect to the exterior of the actuator housing (14) in response to the motion of the piston (30) within the housing (14); e.g., in order to manipulate a tool or workpiece at the opposite (exterior) end (22) of the output rod (20), or to perform another automated machine task.

Abstract: An apparatus having an actuator having a motor, a housing and a thrust rod, where the actuator is configured to convert rotational motion of the motor into axial motion of the thrust rod. A movable holder is coupled to the thrust rod and configured for axial motion of a tool coupling therewith. A bearing assembly is coupled to the actuator, extending along an axis thereof. The bearing assembly is configured to engage with the bearing to provide positional stability for the movable holder and tool coupling when positioned along the actuator axis by motion of the thrust rod.

Abstract: An actuator system includes a housing with a screw shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. The stator component of an electric motor is coupled to the housing, with a rotor extending along the longitudinal axis. A thrust tube is engaged with the screw shaft, for example with a nut assembly configured to convert rotational motion of the rotor into linear motion of the thrust tube. A modular cooling assembly is selectively coupled to the exterior surface of the actuator housing, and configured to dissipate heat.

Abstract: A compact, axially aligned brushless servo motor actuation unit configured to manipulate a choke valve to control the pressure within a borehole during managed pressure drilling. The actuation unit including a brushless servo, a gear reduction assembly and a planetary roller actuator substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis and housed within a tubular housing, the gear reduction assembly defining a hollow core sized to enable a portion of a roller screw of the planetary roller actuator to pass therethrough for the purpose of reducing the overall length of the actuation unit along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A part placement system includes a linear actuator adapted to drive an output rod between a first position and a second position, with a part placement tool or probe on the end of the output rod. The probe is adapted to engage the part at the first position, and to place the part with respect to a locating fixture at the second position. A controller can be operably coupled with the linear actuator, and configured to modulate an acceleration of the output rod, determine the second position responsive to contacting the locating fixture, or both.

Abstract: A system (10, 14) includes one or more sensors configured for acquiring data related to operational conditions of a motor actuator (12), a processor (62) configured for analyzing the data to determine a status of the motor actuator (12), and memory (64) for storing data representative of the operational conditions. A status indicator is generated based on the analysis of the operational conditions, for example to represent system capabilities, normal operating modes, and failure modes of the motor actuator (12). The system (10, 14) can be configured to communicate the status indicator to a user interface (21, 66) or higher-level controller (20, 22).

Abstract: An actuator (10) system includes an output rod (20) coupled to a piston member (30) disposed within an actuator housing (14) or cylinder (14). A belt drive (24) is configured to drive the piston (30) or similar coupling member (30) in reciprocal motion within the housing (14), along its longitudinal axis. The opposite end (22) of the output rod (20) is selectively positioned with respect to the exterior of the actuator housing (14) in response to the motion of the piston (30) within the housing (14); e.g., in order to manipulate a tool or workpiece at the opposite (exterior) end (22) of the output rod (20), or to perform another automated machine task.

Abstract: Devices and methods for operating a linear actuator, optionally for use in controlling a choke valve as part of a managed pressure drilling operation. Such a device may include a motor, a transmission, a linear actuator and an override mechanism selectively engageable with the transmission to enable operation of the linear actuator independently of the motor.

Abstract: An actuator system includes a housing with a screw shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. The stator component of an electric motor is coupled to the housing, with a rotor extending along the longitudinal axis. A thrust tube is engaged with the screw shaft, for example with a nut assembly configured to convert rotational motion of the rotor into linear motion of the thrust tube. A modular cooling assembly is selectively coupled to the exterior surface of the actuator housing, and configured to dissipate heat.

Abstract: A motor system comprises a rotor shaft, and a magnetic drive motor and a capacitive drive motor. An engagement system is configured for selectively engaging one or both of the magnetic drive motor and the capacitive drive motor with the rotor shaft, in order to rotate the rotor shaft at a desired rotational speed and generate a desired output torque. An actuator may be coupled to the rotor shaft in order to convert the rotational speed and/or output torque (or a rotational position of the rotor shaft) for operation on a load, for example to position the load rotationally or linearly with respect to the rotor axis, or to exert a force or torque on the load.

Abstract: A compact, axially aligned brushless servo motor actuation unit configured to manipulate a choke valve to control the pressure within a borehole during managed pressure drilling. The actuation unit including a brushless servo, a gear reduction assembly and a planetary roller actuator substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis and housed within a tubular housing, the gear reduction assembly defining a hollow core sized to enable a portion of a roller screw of the planetary roller actuator to pass therethrough for the purpose of reducing the overall length of the actuation unit along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an actuator having a motor, a housing and a thrust rod, where the actuator is configured to convert rotational motion of the motor into axial motion of the thrust rod. A movable holder is coupled to the thrust rod, and configured for axial motion of a tool coupling therewith. A bearing assembly is coupled to the actuator, extending along an axis thereof. The bearing assembly is configured to engage with the bearing to provide positional stability for the movable holder and tool coupling, when positioned along the actuator axis by motion of the thrust rod.

Abstract: A motor system comprises a rotor shaft, and a magnetic drive motor and a capacitive drive motor. An engagement system is configured for selectively engaging one or both of the magnetic drive motor and the capacitive drive motor with the rotor shaft, in order to rotate the rotor shaft at a desired rotational speed and generate a desired output torque. An actuator may be coupled to the rotor shaft in order to convert the rotational speed and/or output torque (or a rotational position of the rotor shaft) for operation on a load, for example to position the load rotationally or linearly with respect to the rotor axis, or to exert a force or torque on the load.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a housing, a motor within the housing, and a thrust tube with an anti-rotation mechanism. The motor comprises a hollow rotor. An externally threaded screw shaft is coupled to the hollow rotor for rotation therewith. An internally threaded nut is coupled to the externally threaded screw shaft, wherein rotation of the screw shaft causes the nut to move axially. The thrust tube is operably connected with the nut, and the anti-rotation mechanism is attached to the thrust tube to substantially prevent rotation relative the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an actuator having a motor, a housing and a thrust rod, where the actuator is configured to convert rotational motion of the motor into axial motion of the thrust rod. A movable holder is coupled to the thrust rod, and configured for axial motion of a tool coupling therewith. A bearing assembly is coupled to the actuator, extending along an axis thereof. The bearing assembly is configured to engage with the bearing to provide positional stability for the movable holder and tool coupling, when positioned along the actuator axis by motion of the thrust rod.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a linear actuator includes inserting a portion of a thrust member of the actuator into a casting portion of a molding apparatus. The casting portion includes a model screw member having a threaded portion. A molding material can be added into the cast portion to overmold a nut to the thrust member. Thus, the nut will include a threaded portion on an internal circumference mateable with the threaded portion of the model screw member. The overmolded nut and thrust tube member may be coupled to a screw shaft of the actuator, such that the threaded portion of the nut mates with a threaded portion of the screw shaft.